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THE BOOK OF ELI

THE BOOK OF ELI is the premiere post-apocalypse film to see and sets a pattern others should emulate.   

The Great War opened a hole in the sky.  The resulting impact from the unfiltered sun’s rays caused most of the Earth to die.  A lone stranger, sent on a quest by God, travels the wastelands attempting to deliver a book to a promised land in the West.  Simple enough plot, but the film’s pacing, technical aspects and acting weave a riveting two and a half hour experience.  THE BOOK OF ELI has one of the best “I never saw that coming” endings since THE SIXTH SENSE.

Denzel Washington is the stranger, Eli and guardian of the book.  This is Denzel at his best, delivering a performance that lingers far after the film ends.  Gary Oldman is the antagonist, Ray Stevenson, Mila Kunis and Jennifer Beals also co-star.  Stevenson is notable as Oldman’s henchman.

KEY SCENES TO LOOK FOR:

1. THE DRAINAGE TUNNEL

2. THE BAR FIGHT

3. RELINQUISHING THE BOOK

4. THE TRIP TO ALCATRAZ

Director of Photography Don Burgess utilizes a bit of ‘fogging’ and several density filters to capture the color of a dead world.  It’s the same color we who live in Pittsburgh see 347 days of the year; a macabre washed gray that begs the question “Why are you living here?”  Burgess has captured it with aplomb. Cindy Mollo has edited THE BOOK OF ELI on a quick, intelligent pace.  Action sequences are spaced properly forming a delicate balance with the plot.  Credit the action sequences effectiveness to Jeff Imada.  While my critics claim I give too much credit to ‘old stuntmen’, the truth is the new, young guys just can’t get the job done.  I guess it’s too many music videos and too easy access to computer editing software.  Imada was one of the kings of the action films in the 70’s and 80’s, and he shows here that he hasn’t lost a step.  Viewers are treated to a collage of various martial arts coupled with Burgess’ complementary camera angles.  Greg Nicotero, one of Tinsel Town’s best make up artists, provides subtle, but impressive applications in THE BOOK OF ELI. 

Normally I am the first to scream at Hollywood’s constant degradation of the Christian faith.  It seems to go out of its way to avoid anything Christian in nature, or to present the religion in a dismaying light.  So, let me be the first to congratulate THE BOOK OF ELI, Directors the Hughes Brothers and Screenwriters Gary Whitta and Anthony Peckham for presenting a tale that captures positive aspects of Christianity and does so unashamedly.  About damn time!    THE BOOK OF ELI espouses belief in God and Christian values, and it is quite welcomed on the Silver Screen.

THE BOOK OF ELI, like Denzel’s performance, lingers with you after the end credits.  It’s thought provoking and invigorating.  It’s the type of film you could watch numerous times and definitely one you’ll want to add to your home video collection.   It works on many levels and is the epitome of excellence in film as entertainment.  THE BOOK OF ELI captures the coveted FIST OF FIORE AWARD for 2010.  It is the first time a movie has garnered the award this early in the year.  Perhaps it’s a harbinger of things to come.

THE RATING FOR THE BOOK OF ELI = A

BFCA RATING = 10/10

WINNER OF THE FIST OF FIORE AWARD